Improvement in mechanical ledgers



0. SALLBACH.

MECHANICAL LEDGER.

No.1784961. Patented June 20, 1876.

ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERs. PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D C4 1" rrn STATES PATENT QFFIC.

OTTO SALLBAGH, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO HIMSELF AND CHARLES RUHE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MECHANICAL LEDGE RS Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 178,961, dated J une 20, 1876; application filed May 16, 1876.

Pittsburg, county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Mechanical Ledger, of which the following is a specification:

, In the accompanying drawing, Figures 1 and 2 represent top views of my improved mechanical ledger, one in closed the other in open position, and Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same on line 00, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

The invention is intended as a mechanical device for business men to keep the accounts of the customers in a convenient manner withoutrequiring any knowledge of bookkeeping, the device being so hung up in the store that the customer may at any time see the exact state of his account.

The invention consists of a series of revolving strips, with numerals indicating dollars and cents, which strips are moved by an adjustable friction roller and shaft, the whole being inclosed in suitable manner.

In the drawing, A represents an oblong box of any suitable size, whose right-hand corner is broken off, and covered by a plate of glass. A-door, B, at the opposite end of the box A, may be opened and closed when necessary, as shown in Figs. 1 and'2.' The bottom of the box is provided with a slate, which may be taken out at pleasure, and upon which the different names and numbers are written, the "same number and date being placed on the outer surface of the cover at places corresponding in position to the names below. A friction-wheel, G, is placed on a lateral spindle, 0 that turns in suitable bearings of the box, the wheel being made to slide on the spindle or shaft, while it is fast thereon axially. The spindle is turned from the outside by a knob. The bearings O slide in guide-recesses of the side walls of the box A, so that the wheel may be set into higher or lower position, suitable keys D serving'to raise or lower the bearings. Lugs or tumblers a of the keys engage the shaft 0 and carry the friction-wheel to one side toward a series of endless revolvsize of the ledger, being arranged in the box.

The strips are arranged in two groups, one above the other, the lower one extending beyond the upper, so that the ends'of'both are visible through the corner glass-plate. The strips are printed with numerals, which indicate dollars on one and cents on the other set. A lateral dividing-strip, I), is placed between the ends of the strips to admit the easier reading of the numbers sidewise of each other.

The amount is kept for each customer by entering his name to a certain number on the inside slate, and setting the printed strips to the exact number of dollars and cents by setting, first, the friction-wheel to move the lower strip, and then to the upper. The amountdue will then be visible through the corner glass plate and indicate to the customer the state of his account, his number and date of last purchase only being placed on the outside. When the account-strips have been adjusted, the friction-wheel is released from contact with the strips, so that no accidental changing of the same is possible. If desired,

the box may be enlarged to have a credit as well as a debit account by simply doubling the mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A mechanical ledger, composed of an adjustable friction-wheel and spindle, in con- OTTO SALLBAOH.

Witnesses:

PHILIP HoEUR, E. WM. BUHL. 

